The Superhuman Mind

Near-Death Experiences

This Is What Happens When You Die, According to Science

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on November 2, 2024

Discover what really happens when you die — the brain's final surge, chemical releases, and the mysterious experiences at the end of life.

Discover what really happens when you die — the brain's final surge, chemical releases, and the mysterious experiences at the end of life.

Ethics and Morality

The Dark Legacy of Forced Sterilization: Carrie Buck's Story

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on September 9, 2024

Explore Carrie Buck's tragic story and the dark legacy of forced sterilization laws that once targeted thousands in America, still echoing in today's legal landscape.

Explore Carrie Buck's tragic story and the dark legacy of forced sterilization laws that once targeted thousands in America, still echoing in today's legal landscape.

Artificial Intelligence

4 Surprising Ways AI Poses a Threat to Humanity

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on April 10, 2024

AI can become capable of waging psychological warfare, sabotaging companies, and changing world power.

AI can become capable of waging psychological warfare, sabotaging companies, and changing world power.

Memory

Perception and the Unreliability of Episodic Memory

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on January 4, 2022

Recent research suggests that recalling personal memories may help improve perception. But how do we make sense of this finding, given the unreliability of personal memories?

Recent research suggests that recalling personal memories may help improve perception. But how do we make sense of this finding, given the unreliability of personal memories?

Memory

How Memories of Events in Your Past May Affect Perception

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on December 30, 2021

New research indicates that when recollections of specific episodes from our individual past may alter how we perceive the world.

New research indicates that when recollections of specific episodes from our individual past may alter how we perceive the world.

Depression

The Debate Over Electroconvulsive Therapy

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on September 28, 2021

Electroconvulsive therapy can reportedly bring immense benefits to individuals with major depression and other psychiatric disorders. But it may have risks as well.

Electroconvulsive therapy can reportedly bring immense benefits to individuals with major depression and other psychiatric disorders. But it may have risks as well.

Memory

How the Sense of Smell Triggers Old and Long-Forgotten Memories

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on June 27, 2021

Psychologists zero in on the mechanism underlying odor-evoked autobiographical memories, or what has come to be known as the Proust phenomenon.

Psychologists zero in on the mechanism underlying odor-evoked autobiographical memories, or what has come to be known as the Proust phenomenon.

Psychology

The Psychology of Crypto-Asset Users

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on June 25, 2021

A new study looks at risk perception and security behavior in crypto-asset users.

A new study looks at risk perception and security behavior in crypto-asset users.

Emotional Intelligence

Can We Accurately Test Emotional Intelligence?

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on June 24, 2021

Employers often use emotional intelligence tests to screen job candidates. However, the use of these tests is potentially problematic.

Employers often use emotional intelligence tests to screen job candidates. However, the use of these tests is potentially problematic.

Law and Crime

The Trial Over George Floyd's Death: Legal Causation

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on March 31, 2021

To prove causation, the prosecution must show that Floyd's death wouldn't have occurred but for Chauvin's acts and that his death was reasonably foreseeable.

To prove causation, the prosecution must show that Floyd's death wouldn't have occurred but for Chauvin's acts and that his death was reasonably foreseeable.

Law and Crime

The Charges Against Chauvin in the Death of George Floyd

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on March 30, 2021

Derek Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd. What exactly do these charges entail?

Derek Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd. What exactly do these charges entail?

Bias

Explaining Our Extreme Safety Demands for Self-Driving Cars

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on March 29, 2021

New research shows that two cognitive fallacies explain the public's resistance to adopting self-driving cars, unless they are extremely safe.

New research shows that two cognitive fallacies explain the public's resistance to adopting self-driving cars, unless they are extremely safe.

Bias

The Many Faces of Racism

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on December 27, 2020

Why do we fail to defeat systemic racism? We show that cognitive dissonance and confabulation prevents racists from gaining insight into the despicable nature of their actions.

Why do we fail to defeat systemic racism? We show that cognitive dissonance and confabulation prevents racists from gaining insight into the despicable nature of their actions.

Cognitive Dissonance

How Cognitive Dissonance Makes Us Adopt Incredible Beliefs

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on December 19, 2020

Evidence suggests that we adopt dubious beliefs and confabulate to avoid the distress of cognitive dissonance. This is the first of two posts exploring how this perpetuates racism.

Evidence suggests that we adopt dubious beliefs and confabulate to avoid the distress of cognitive dissonance. This is the first of two posts exploring how this perpetuates racism.

Bias

A New Approach to Implicit Bias Training

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on December 18, 2020

Implicit bias training has not been successful in reducing systemic racism. We suggest using cognitive dissonance to curtail bias-driven bigotry.

Implicit bias training has not been successful in reducing systemic racism. We suggest using cognitive dissonance to curtail bias-driven bigotry.

Memory

Can You Improve Your Working Memory?

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on September 10, 2020

A "workout" for your working memory can help correct cognitive problems, such as forgetfulness, absentmindedness, carelessness, and short attention span.

A "workout" for your working memory can help correct cognitive problems, such as forgetfulness, absentmindedness, carelessness, and short attention span.

Artificial Intelligence

The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on August 17, 2020

Should we create artificial intelligence systems that can exploit loopholes to harm us or restrict their production?

Should we create artificial intelligence systems that can exploit loopholes to harm us or restrict their production?

Personality

Can Your Facial Features Influence Your Personality?

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on August 4, 2020

Why do twin studies seem to yield unusually high heritability estimates for certain personality traits?

Why do twin studies seem to yield unusually high heritability estimates for certain personality traits?

Personality

Where Does Our Personality Come From?

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on August 2, 2020

Where does our personality come from? If, say, you are highly introverted, is this primarily the result of your genes, or does it stem mostly from your upbringing?

Where does our personality come from? If, say, you are highly introverted, is this primarily the result of your genes, or does it stem mostly from your upbringing?

Genetics

Why We Don't See the Same Colors

Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on June 29, 2020

Is it really true that we experience colors differently, depending on our gender, national origin, ethnicity, geographical location, and what language we speak?

Is it really true that we experience colors differently, depending on our gender, national origin, ethnicity, geographical location, and what language we speak?